College makes the most bizarre behaviors – keg stands, theme parties, and trekking home from the library at 3AM – seem totally normal. That is, until you're back at home over break and someone invariably points out how strangely you're acting. Nobody can fault you for indulging in your favorite junk foods every once in awhile, but when your midnight snack of Hot Pockets and sugary cereal becomes routine, it's time to take a look at how out of whack your eating patterns have become. Whether you're skipping breakfast in order to shave a few minutes off your morning routine or subsisting solely on coffee to get you through hours of back-to-back classes, it's important to learn how to nix these bad habits for good.

Her Campus consulted Connie Diekman, Registered Dietitian, past president of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and Director of University Nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis for the 411 on healthy eating in college.

Why do eating patterns change once you start college?

No more Mom and Dad

When Her Campus polled collegiettes last year about what they missed the most about high school, the top answer was a no-brainer: home-cooked meals! Even if your parents weren't exactly gourmet chefs, you were probably accustomed to a regular assortment of meals you knew and loved, typically served around the same time each night.

But once you got to college, all bets were off. Even if your dining hall is amazing, it's nothing like what you're used to at home. You probably have access to an endless amount of food, so it can be tough to control your portion sizes. If your dining hall is buffet-style, you're likely to pile more on your plate than you would if you were cooking your own meals. And depending on your dining hall's hours, you might be forced to eat when you aren't hungry (hello, dining halls where dinner closes at 7).

At home, Mom and Dad probably footed the grocery bill and paid the bill at restaurants. In college, it's harder to pay for your own food supply – that is, if you can even get to the grocery store on a regular basis – so it's easy to fall back on eating the leftover bag of Cheetos in your dorm room.

Your schedule has changed

Eating was easy in high school: breakfast before school, lunch in between classes, a snack after school, and dinner with your family later at night. But college throws that schedule for a loop. You might not need to wake up for class until 11AM, or you might be running from class to your work-study job all day long. Maybe you're pulling all-nighters in the library or grazing on snacks in the dining hall every hour.

One of the most common eating issues in college is waking up right before class starts, leaving no time for a filling breakfast. You've heard it a million times before, but it's well worth repeating again. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Diekman suggests yogurt and fruit or cereal with milk. A breakfast packed with protein and fiber helps you power through the morning and will keep you fuller for longer. Try egg and cheese on an English muffin or oatmeal and a banana with peanut butter.

For more ideas, check out Her Campus's guide to healthy breakfasts or the Collegiette Eats blog.

Another common issue in college is being busy all day. Class, hanging out with friends, studying, club meetings, work-study jobs, and internships don't leave a ton of downtime to catch a meal!

While taking 20 credits and working 20 hours a week, FIT collegiette Shaye's appetite disappeared. “I was so busy that I forgot to eat and wasn't even hungry. I was so busy that my body just adjusted to missing meals throughout the day.”

According to Diekman, the key to surviving long, busy days is sticking to a schedule. Every three to four hours, pencil in a snack or small meal. Try preparing healthy, on-the-go snacks on the weekends so you can stash a few in your bag throughout the week. With a little planning ahead, you won't be tempted to dash into the dining hall for a bagel on the way to your next class. Diekman suggests choosing a combination of carbs and protein every time you eat, such as:

• A peanut butter sandwich
• Oatmeal made with milk
• Fruit with peanut butter
• Cheese and crackers
• Hummus on pita bread
• A LUNA bar (or another brand with a 2:1 carb to protein ratio)
• Homemade trail mix: 1 cup whole grain cereal, ½  cup dried fruit, ¼ cup nuts

Keep in mind that eating on a regular schedule throughout the day helps prevent bingeing on heavy meals when you finally do have the time to eat!

What are the consequences of abnormal eating patterns?

In some cases, strange eating habits are relatively harmless. You might gain or lose a little weight or feel tired, sluggish, or stressed. But if you let your eating patterns slide too far from what you're used to, you might end up getting sick or get severely overweight or underweight.

Avianne, a student at NYU, says, “Last semester, I had a very busy schedule between a full class load and four part-time jobs. Working from early morning to late nights, I often prioritized the work I needed to get done rather than eating. I often would rush in the morning to classes, only eating a granola bar on the bus. Lunch would probably be my only consistent meal every day, and I often skipped dinner or just grabbed something fast though not exactly nutritious, so I could spend more time on homework and whatnot. Some days, I felt like I was very drained of energy, and I ended up having to see a gastroenterologist after my stomach started having problems from my diet inconsistencies. The days I didn't get as much food sometimes led me to take caffeine for quick energy, but overtime, that fatigued me even more, and I eventually got sick.”

After a semester of struggling with a healthy eating schedule, Avianne is now actively focused on getting back to her status quo. “I am currently trying to get back on a better eating schedule, although I have noticed that my appetite is no longer as big as it used to be when I ate more consistently. I really think that healthy eating is important... it's something I wish I didn't overlook or feel like I had to sacrifice for a busy schedule!” she says.

How should you be eating?

“I recommend students eat within one hour of getting up – no matter what time that is – and then eat every three to four hours from that point on,” Diekman says. “This routine allows for flexibility of schedules and focuses on keeping the body fueled without being tied to breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

But between hours of studying and lots of social time, sometimes your last meal or snack might fall several hours after you finish dinner. If that's the case, don't stress! Eating late at night sometimes gets a bad reputation, but Diekman encourages it as long as you stick to healthy choices.

“Fueling the body every three to four hours should continue until you go to bed, but they key is keeping the right food choices in that plan – and the right portions. When you eat chips, ice cream, pizza, fried foods, or alcohol late at night, you aren't focused on health,” she says.

Aside from your typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner, collegiettes often end up eating a fourth meal in college: late-night drunk food. Check out these tips on how to curb drunchies.

Whether you're eating after a late night in the library or a late night on Frat Row, stick to healthy snacks like fruit, veggies, oatmeal, eggs, lean meats (like turkey), and Greek yogurt.

For girls ages 19 – 30, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends a daily caloric intake of 1,800 – 2,400 calories, depending on how active you are. (You can check your personalized nutritional recommendations at ChooseMyPlate.gov.) The USDA suggests eating from all food groups, with a focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Are your eating patterns safe?

The transition to college can completely throw your eating out of whack. Even if you've never struggled with eating before, some collegiettes develop eating disorders in college from stress, lifestyle changes, new pressures, and being surrounded by new people. Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating, and extreme calorie counting can all threaten your physical and emotional health and it's important to recognize when you might need help.

If you're seriously struggling with disordered eating or have gained or lost a significant amount of weight, Her Campus urges you to contact your campus health center or make a toll-free call to the National Eating Disorder Association's Help Line at 1-800-931-2337.

How can you fix your unhealthy eating patterns?

Stick to a schedule

Aim to follow Diekman's golden rule: breakfast within the first hour you're up, followed by meals every three to four hours. Take a look at your class schedule and other commitments and pencil meals and snacks into your calendar or planner. Once you're aware of when you should be eating, it's easier to control your hunger and make healthy choices.

Be social

If you have plans to meet up with a friend for dinner at 6:00 PM, you're not going to binge on snacks at 5:30. The more regularly-timed meals you share with others, the easier it is to follow a healthy schedule.

Make breakfast a priority

Kema, a collegiette from Harvard, used to struggle with skipping breakfast until she made a conscious effort to keep her eating schedule on track. “I always wake up early to get breakfast, even if my first class isn't until the afternoon. I noticed on days that I would miss breakfast, I would eat a ton of unhealthy snacks for the rest of the day, and I didn't want that to become a pattern.”

Even if your first class isn't until noon, do yourself a favor and try following Kema's example. You don't need to get up at the crack of dawn, but eating breakfast at the same time every day before class will prevent you from bingeing later on.

Give yourself extra time in the morning

We hate to break it to you, but it's probably not possible to fit a substantial breakfast between your 9:15 AM alarm and your 9:30 AM class. Fortunately, breakfast doesn't take very long. Setting your alarm even ten or fifteen minutes earlier might be all the extra time you need to squeeze in a solid start to your day.

Georgia, a student at the University of Maryland, is a night owl who tends to skip breakfast. “I'm more productive late at night, so I prefer to work later and wake up later. Because of this, I leave myself no time to eat breakfast in the morning, even though I know I should. I usually buy a coffee to drink during my first class and might not get to eat again until dinner,” she says. “I'm working on trying to get up half an hour earlier.”

If you’re still pressed for time in the morning, you can try stocking up on easy, on-the-go breakfasts like fruit and yogurt so that you can just grab them on your way out the door. Or, you can try preparing your breakfast the night before and storing it in the fridge to cut down on prep time. 

Don't tempt yourself

If you know you aren't able to resist unhealthy foods, avoid keeping them in your dorm room. Instead, fill your food stash with healthy options so that making a good choice will be easy and convenient, and you won’t drunkenly polish off an entire family-size bag of chips.  Harper, a collegiette at the College of William & Mary, is a self-proclaimed late-night snacker who's working to reform her bad habit. “Recently, I've been throwing out my junk food. Instead of eating chocolates, I eat boiled eggs and pepperoni. I find the protein really filling. Keeping the offending snacks out of stock is an easy way to stay on track,” she says.

Harper knows what she's talking about – after cutting out soda for a year, she was able to lose ten pounds.

It's never too late to correct an unhealthy eating pattern. Good luck!

Society has unrealistic expectations of beauty. Whether it permeates through magazine culture, fashion advertisements or dangerous thinspiration movements,  the ideal body that many girls strive for is becoming harder and harder to achieve.

When all of these images and messages start to stack up, how can you keep your self-esteem intact? Yes, Candice Swanepoel is beautiful. Obviously Beyoncé is a queen. But so are you!

If you’re in need of a confidence boost, look no further. We spoke with collegiettes to uncover their tips and tricks so you can start feeling more confident and love the skin you’re in.

1. Straighten up

Maintaining correct posture not only makes you appear more confident, but it can also play a big role in how confident you feel.

In a research study conducted at Ohio State University, when participants were asked to sit up straighter, they were more confident about the statements they wrote about their qualifications compared to those who slouched.

Kayla Ermanni, a junior at the University of Michigan, finds that straightening up helps her with public speaking. “If I’m presenting in class, I try to stand up straight because it will look like I’m confident in what I’m saying,” she says. “Sometimes looking and feeling confident go hand in hand.”

So how can you practice better posture? First, you want to make sure that your head, shoulders and hips are level. Imagine drawing a straight line from your ear to your shoulder, your hip and finally to your ankle. Next, roll your shoulders down and back, and place your weight evenly on both feet. It might feel awkward at first, but with practice it will become second nature.

Although it seems simple, changing your posture can make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself. Next time you sit down to tackle a homework assignment or take notes in class, skip slouching and sit up straight instead.

2. Fake it

Have you ever heard the expression “fake it till you make it”? If not, make it your new mantra. By imitating confidence, you will eventually learn to accept your successes and grow real confidence.

Sona Kollarova, a senior at the University of Ottawa, uses this approach to boost her esteem.  “If you act like you are confident and outgoing, people will believe it, and eventually you will start to believe it yourself,” she says. “I would also suggest that you take any opportunity you can to meet new people and put yourself out there.”

Connie Chan, a senior at Carnegie Mellon University, says real confidence can and will grow from faking it initially. “One really good piece of advice I've heard is to walk like you are going somewhere important,” she says. “It may seem silly, but it actually helps you exude confidence, even if you don't actually feel it. If you begin with something as simple as walking, it will soon flow over into the way you do other things. Fake confidence will soon become genuine confidence; it's a way of making the mask become the face.”

On your way to class, pretend that you’re walking to an important job interview. This simple gesture (along with standing tall and proud) will bring you one step closer to finding your most confident self.

3. Think positively

When you’re feeling self-conscious, there’s nothing worse than a negative mind. If you’re constantly critical of your every move, your self-esteem will surely suffer.

Instead of focusing on the negatives (what you don’t like about yourself, what you wish you could change), reflect on what’s good in your life. What qualities do you have that are one of a kind?

Harper Yi, a junior at The College of William and Mary, says journaling is a great way to keep track of the positive things that happen during your day. Not only is the process of writing therapeutic in and of itself, you can look back on your journal later when you’re feeling down and remember all the good things that happened to you.

“Journaling is a really great exercise,” she says. “You don't even have to write a lot, honestly. Sometimes it's really great to refocus yourself by taking time every day to write one sentence of good news or gratitude.”

Along with journaling, you can start by leaving daily reminders around your dorm or apartment for quick confidence boosters. It’s as easy as writing uplifting messages on sticky notes and posting them around (especially on the bathroom mirror). Write whatever you think will speak to you the most, including inspirational quotes or reasons to appreciate who you are and what you’ve accomplished.

Need some quote inspiration? Try these!

“You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.”–Amy Bloom

“People often say that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder.”–Salma Hayek

“Whatever you are doing, love yourself for doing it. Whatever you are feeling, love yourself for feeling it.”–Thaddeus Golas

Whenever you start to doubt yourself, your appearance or your abilities, look at your notes! You can even surprise your roommates (and give them a nice confidence boost in return) by leaving them a note on the fridge or the counter in the morning.

4. Dress to impress

To start feeling more confident, you need to dress the part. There’s nothing like finding the perfect outfit: one that’s comfortable, that’s flattering and that says, “I know I look great.” When you’re wearing a cute outfit you feel fantastic in, it changes the way you carry yourself, how others see you and in turn, how you see yourself.

And it’s not always what’s on the outside that counts. Splurging on a Victoria’s Secret bra-and-panty combo can work wonders for self-confidence. Laura Bouman, a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin—Stout, says this little trick can make you feel powerfully sexy.

“Wearing sexy lingerie during the day (under your outfit obviously) can make a girl feel super sexy and confident, even just for a day,” she says. “No one even has to see it; it's your little secret!”

Along with rocking the right outfit, your beauty regimen can positively influence your confidence level.

Sophie Dodd, a junior from Middlebury College, says bold lipstick works to polish off a confident look. “When I need a pick-me-up, I love to rock a bright red lip,” she says. “It screams confidence, which in turn makes [me] feel confident.”

Similarly, Ashley McDonald, a junior at Central Michigan University, finds that a bold lip combined with the right outfit can turn you into a force to be reckoned with.

“What I do to feel confident is wear a bold lipstick color, like hot pink or red,” she says. “When I pair that with a killer outfit, I feel ready to take on the world!”

5. Accept compliments and show thanks

Have you ever thought something like, “They don’t actually think I’m smart; they’re just being nice”? Think again! In order to gain confidence and greater self-esteem, it’s important to take compliments for what they’re worth. Instead of discrediting the person who gave it to you, assuming she’s lying or whatever else you tell yourself, believe her and show your gratitude!

Giving thanks to people who affected your life positively, even just for a simple compliment, will help you to recognize your strengths and redirect your negative energy.

“Say thank you, and not just, ‘Hey, thanks,’ but sitting down and writing an email or a card to someone who helped you out today or last week or last year,” Harper says. “It's a way to remind yourself of how good you have it. Gratitude is so important in life! The key to being happy and confident is knowing how to smile about what you already have.”

We’re used to brushing off positive thoughts because it’s so much easier to focus on the negative.  When you receive a compliment in the future, use it to fuel your self-confidence, not take away from it!

6. Exercise

Between classes, extracurricular activities and homework, there never seems to be enough time for exercise. But there are endless benefits for bringing yourself to the gym, which include stress relief and confidence-building. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finishing an intense workout. When you challenge yourself and succeed, you’ll start to believe in yourself in other aspects of life as well.

Becky McColl, a senior at the University of Delaware, believes that you can achieve higher confidence through regular exercise and focusing on your overall health.

“I really love running, and I always find that I feel better about myself when I'm running regularly,” she says. “I think exercising regularly and doing things that are beneficial for your health are really important factors in feeling good about yourself.”

Along with exercise itself, what you wear can play a factor in your confidence. Susannah Hine, a senior at UC Irvine, says wearing just a sports bra gives her the motivation to work out and feel great about herself afterwards.

“A great confidence booster is to go for a run or hike and only wear a sports bra on top,” she says. “I'm not quite why this is so empowering, but even on the days I feel super bloated, going out in public wearing only a cute bra top always boosts my self esteem!”

With practice comes confidence. You won’t wake up one morning feeling 100 percent sure of yourself; it takes time and energy to love the skin you’re in. We hope that with these tips, you can be on your way to a more confident self!

Put down those blah binders and boring pens and get ready to survive second semester in style! What better way to encourage yourself to get work done than to have super cute office supplies to do it with? It’s a fact that cuter pens take better notes (or we think so, anyway).

Get some style and school supply inspiration with the re-launch of the See Jane Work collection offered exclusively at Office Depot! See Jane Work products were designed with equal focus on function and fashion so you can have a study space that is uniquely you. See Jane Work items come in many color palettes that can be mixed and matched so you can show off your personal style with your office supplies!

Check out Her Campus interns’ favorite See Jane Work picks below and how they’re using them to survive second semester, and read on for how to get $10 off your See Jane Work purchase!

Love these products? Get them below! Be sure to click here to get $10 off your purchase of $50 or more!

Alexa’s Picks

• Bow Binder Clips
• Pink Floral Letter Sorter

Maggie’s Picks

• Padfolio Clipboard
• Retractable Pens

Corinne’s Picks

• Pink Floral Pencil Cup
• Pink Floral Writing Pad
• To-Do Notepad

Madeline’s Picks

• Blue Herringbone Business Notebook
• Black Dot Presentation Folders
• Black Dot Sticky Notes

Happy shopping, collegiettes!

Name: Caira Conner
Age: 29
Job Title and Description: Community Manager at PolicyMic
College/Major: University of the South/English Literature
Website: theimpatientobserver.com
Twitter Handle: @CairaConner

What does your current job entail? Is there such a thing as a typical day?

Caira Conner: The typical parts of my day include (a lot of) coffee, reading a variety of news outlets, checking in with our writers and keeping an eye on social media feeds. As the community manager, I work closely with our online community and our internal staff, so the other parts of my day depends on a combination of editorial priorities and projects, meetings, vetting applications and the state of my inbox.

What is the best part of your job?

CC: What I love about my job is that it combines so many different things that I like to do—reading, writing, editing and studying how people and ideas connect to one another. It also holds me accountable for my opinions. The thing about working for a media platform is that people will ask for your perspective on current events; unless you want to feel extremely embarrassed, you’re going to need to know what’s happening in the world.
 
What was your first entry-level job in your field and how did you get it?

CC: I actually wrote for PolicyMic before I worked at PolicyMic. I’d applied for a different role at the site and didn’t get it. The initial rejection worked in my favor because 1) having an authentic understanding of what it’s like to be one of our remote writers is helpful in recruiting new ones, and 2) I love the job I have now, and it’s not one that was available when I first applied.

I moved from remote writer to intern to staff; my role as the community manager grew from an idea (during my internship) to have a recurring article on the site that spotlighted writers doing interesting things. The first ever "pundit of the week" column created a space devoted to showcasing our community, as well as my definitive role as the person responsible for helping PolicyMic-ers new and old develop their place with us. 

What is one thing you wish you knew about your industry when you first started out that you know now?

CC: It’s going to look completely different by the time you get there. Don’t get stuck on how you think something’s supposed to turn out.

Who is one person who changed your professional life for the better?

CC: My undergraduate advisor, Elizabeth Outka. She told me I didn’t have to panic if my life wasn’t figured out by age 25. She supported me when I moved to Chile. She wrote me a letter of recommendation for graduate school. Most important of all, she suggested I not use “cthebeef@aol.com” as my email address once I graduated college.

What words of wisdom do you find most valuable?

CC: Andy Van De Voorde said, “As a general rule, I try to avoid pat advice of any kind, in part because I ended up where I am largely because of dumb luck and the kindness of strangers, not because I followed some seventeen-point plan I read about on the Internet.”

What is one mistake you made along the way and what did you learn from it?

CC: I didn’t treat my first temp-job out of college with respect. I viewed it as a way to kill time until I figured out what I “really” wanted to be doing, and it showed in the mediocre quality of my work. I realized later (after I lost the job) the mistake was in thinking that I didn’t have to take work seriously until I loved what I was doing. Uh, no. Work should be taken seriously if you expect to pay the rent.

What do you look for when considering hiring someone?

CC: Someone who asks good questions and gives straightforward answers.
 
What advice would you give to a 20-something with similar aspirations?

CC: Living abroad (and well outside my comfort zone) is when I discovered I loved to observe how different cultures and communities operate within and because of each other, and going to graduate school was a way to formalize that study. But do not go to grad school in the absence of not knowing what else it is you want to do.  It is uncomfortable to not love what you're presently doing, but bathe in that discomfort. Grow in it. Force yourself to prioritize and make lists about what you do want out of the next couple years, what you do like about your current role, and what you will not tolerate in your next.

Oh, and keep going.

Baby, it’s cold outside! With the snow, rain and wind, venturing outside for activities can feel like way too much of a hassle. If you don’t feel like piling on layer after layer of clothing, staying inside is the only option. To combat cabin fever, here are some tips, tricks and activities to keep you entertained and best of all, warm.

1. Card games from your childhood:Spit, Egyptian Rat Screw, Speed. Rekindle the romance with these fun games you used to play on the rainy days of the past. If you’re up for some extra socializing, invite your floormates to a tournament and school them all with your amazing skills. Prize for the winner of the tournament is semester-long bragging rights. Can’t quite remember the rules?  

2. Apples to Apples:

There are plenty of board games out there, but some of them lose their jazziness as almost-adults. Apples to Apples is a fun game that allows you to use your wit and political knowledge to make your friends fall on the floor giggling. You pair an adjective with a noun to make the funniest combination, and whoever draws the adjective for you to match decides if your pair was the best, funniest, or most topical.

3. Rearrange your furniture: Sometimes you get bored with the layout of your room. Make it a little more inviting by playing with the arrangement. “Rearranging furniture is always therapeutic,” Emerson College resident assistant Tau Zaman says. “You'd be surprised at what kinds of arrangements you can make.”

4. Favorite movie marathon: This is a great way to get to know your floormates. Ask everyone to pick their favorite movie among the DVDs that they brought to school with them and have a movie marathon. Getting to know others’ taste in movies and music is a great way to find some common ground between you—and this method just so happens to kill eight hours.

5. Learn how to do the Single Ladies dance:

This task is definitely the most difficult on this list, but also the most rewarding. Grab two friends and check out some YouTube tutorials like this one to shake your booty like Beyonce. Tackling these challenging moves doubles as a cardio workout and a great confidence booster.

6. Turn random stuff into new clothes:“Since it's super cold outside, you can also use old clothes to make new ones for the winter,” Zaman says. “You can turn sweater sleeves into scarves or leg warmers, sweatshirt hoods into little drawstring bags, or even old t-shirts into pillowcases! I'm terrible at sewing but even I found cool ways to give old clothes new uses online.” Try this site for ideas.

7. Clothing swap: Shopping for brand new clothes is for people with an expendable income, and unfortunately, that may not be you at the moment. Find a friend in your building who has a similar body type and ask if she would like to trade that shirt you bought but never wore for her scarf that you totally envy. It’s a great way to bond and also get some new loot while getting rid of some old stuff. You can also tryswapstyle.com and swap clothes with millions of users!

8. Find a new look while playing around with makeup:

Aside from changing up your clothes, you can freshen up your look in other ways, too. If you’ve always been terrified of liquid eyeliner, there is no better time than now to attempt the seemingly impossible. Try to make blue eye shadow look acceptable. Put on some black lipstick. Do whatever moves you—you may find that black lipstick is actually becoming on you.

9. Make a wall collage:“One of my favorite projects was to get a bunch of tacks and cork-board tiles and tack artsy/antique postcards onto them,” says Zaman. “They make really classy wall decorations and depending on your level of detail you can spend anywhere from minutes to hours.”

10. Start a blog: You have thoughts! You have opinions! So share them with the online community. There are several blog hosts you can choose from: Blogger, Wordpress, Tumblr, and many others. Post things that inspire you, your favorite recipes, or something really annoying that happened to you today. Being inside leaves you a lot of time alone with your thoughts; don’t be afraid to document them. And read theses HC article on blogging and fashion blogging to find out how you can get started! 

11. Start a new show on Netflix: When your favorite shows end, your weeknights feel a whole lot lonelier. A Netflix account, if you don’t have one, is affordable and a great investment if only for the ability to stream shows and movies online instantly. If you’ve been meaning to watch Grey's Anatomy, The Bachelor, or re-watch your favorite episodes of Family Guy, being stuck inside all day is the perfect opportunity to begin.

12. Online Shopping: Pick. Point. Click “Buy.” And you’re all done. Pick up a swingy sundress or a pair of espadrille wedges to get you in the mood for spring. Sigh: the snow will melt away eventually.  Check out this HC article on how to shop the online flash sale sites like a queen. 

13. Chocolate cake in a mug: If you’re looking for something tasty and quick, try making cake is a mug. What’s great about this recipe is that it requires simple tools (a mug and a microwave) and some easy to get ingredients. Go ahead, make yourself seconds. We won’t tell. Check out this recipe for a ridiculously easy dessert.

14. Get dinner delivered: Have your roommates chip in for a few large pizzas and call out for delivery. Once they arrive, sit around and watch something totally trashy like Jersey Shore. Sometimes, it feels really good to veg out and let your mind shut down a bit. Plus, reality shows are great for a few laughs. Don’t forget to give the delivery person a big tip for driving through the slush to get you a piping hot dinner.

15. Do a 300-500 piece puzzle:

Puzzles are a great thing to have when you’re bored and even when you’re stressed out. It forces you to focus on one thing for a couple of hours and once you’ve finished it, it feels like a significant accomplishment. And it is! Post a picture of your completed puzzle to Facebook once you’re done and have your friends “ooh” and “ahh” over your masterpiece.

16. Get crafty and organized:“You can create tiny shelves out of cardboard boxes from snacks and stuff lying around your dorm to organize things, like pens,” Zaman says.

17. Read a book: It’s an old school method to pass the time, so curl up with the classics: Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre, or revert to A Shore Thing by Snooki. It’s important to be balanced!

18. Clean: Sweep, wash the dishes, and clean the toilet bowl.  While it’s not the most enjoyable activity in the world, cleaning is productive and it gives you time to think and clear your head. If you’re stressed out, it can help get your mind off of things, and if you’re tired of sitting on your butt, you just might find some satisfaction out of being able to see your reflection in your fork.

19. Clean up your social networking pages:  Sure, you had a great time at your best friend’s birthday party, but your future employers don’t need to know how good of a time you actually had. Get rid of those slightly salacious photos, and curse filled rants on Twitter just in time to apply for summer internships. Find out more here. 

20. Plan your outfits for the week: You’ve heard this tip several times, but it’s not very practical for a busy schedule. Planning layers to wear for the freezing weather is quite a task, so take advantage of the time at hand and take pictures of your planned outfits, so you remember exactly what you wanted to wear each day.

21. Do 100 jumping jacks/20 push-ups/50 crunches:

Getting your body moving will rev up your metabolism and endorphins, especially if you’ve been sitting around all day. This small workout will take less than five minutes and you burn about 100 calories total, and if you’re really dedicated you could do it every hour and burn some major calories. That way, once the weather clears up, you’ll feel active and energetic instead of schlumpy.

22. Make mix CDs for your friends back home: It’s totally normal to get homesick every once in a while. A good way to remedy that is to send your friends a little gift to tell them how much you miss them. Burn a CD for them of all the songs that remind you of the great times you’ve had together, decorate the CDs and send them with a little love.

23. Attempt to make a viral video with your friends: Dress up with your friends and make a silly video to “Party in the U.S.A” or "Bad Romance.” Even if you don’t post it on YouTube, you can still save it on your hard drive as a cherished memory between you and your friends. Bonus points for getting your RA to join in on the fun. 

24. Increase your trivial knowledge:“If you've got a computer,” Zaman says. “You can always test yourself on trivia on sporcle.com, go on learning tangents with tabbed browsing on Wikipedia, or even try learning a new language over the internet.”

25. Call your mom:

She definitely misses you. And if she doesn’t have something interesting to say, you can always ask her to pass the phone to your cat. Just make sure your roommates aren’t around.

Last night, the Grammys took over media feeds and televisions across America. From Queen B proving that she is and will always be American royalty to Queen Latifah presiding over 33 simultaneous marriages (real ones!), the 2014 Grammys were definitely one for the record books. In case you weren’t able to watch the hours long spectacle, here are the most important moments…in no particular order.

1. Beyoncé opened the show, looking like this.

2. She then shook her booty like this.

3. And danced with Jay-Z like this...

4. Taylor Swift showed how much she liked to dance.

5. And head bang.

6. Pharrell wore a hat that looked like something Smokey the Bear would wear.

7. And produced an explosion of internet memes

8. Ringo Starr and Sir Paul reunited to sing a McCartney’s new song.

9. Lorde looked cute and surprised when she won Best Pop Solo Performance

10. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis took home the Grammy for Best New Artist

11. And Queen Latifah presided over 33 simultaneous weddings during their performance of “Same Love”.

12. Katy Perry wore a Valentino couture gown that walked down the runway not a week ago, proving that she truly is the Princess of Pop

13. And Pink did some major trapeze work during her performance. (Was she lip-syncing? Wouldn’t blame her TBH.)

14.  Jay-Z thanked the ladies in his life in the most adorable way when accepting his award for best Rap Collab for “Holy Grail”.

15. And gave his bride maybe the most precious kiss ever in Grammys history

What did you think of this year’s Grammy Awards? Sound off in the comments below! 

College student Rachel Williams wrote a frightening personal account of her experience with mental health care at Yale University.

In the essay she wrote for Yale Daily News, Williams recounts her time spent at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she was taken after telling her school counselor that she had cut herself. Williams was strip-searched and confined for a week, during which time she received limited treatment. In response to Williams' concern that she would feel more depressed if she were to leave school, she was told by a senior pyschiatrist, "We don't necessarily think you'll be safer at home. But we can't just have you here." 

Ultimately, it was decided that Williams would have to withdraw from the university, with no guarantee of return. During the next year, she attended therapy sessions, reapplied for admission and was eventually readmitted. 

William's powerful essay shines a light on the state of Yale's mental health care and criticizes the university for its failure to help students who do not conform to the positve, successful norm.

She writes, "I see that Yale is a fundamentally unhealthy place in one important way. The problem is, everyone is “okay"...to say something else, to be — in our own minds and in the minds of others — something else, is for some reason not acceptable at Yale. None of us are completely okay. But the pressure to conform to being perfectly functional and happy is a burden that we should neither want nor bear." 

They’re comforting and transformative, and they're always there when you need them (literally). Books are more or less the best friends that you could have, and if you’re anything like us, you might be taking your love of reading a little too far… like, to-the-point-of-antisocial-behavior too far. Here are 17 telltale (pun intended) signs that you like books more than people.

1. You avoid awkward social interactions by digging your nose further into whatever you’re reading.

2. You tell your roommates you can’t go out tonight because you have “reading” to do.

3. Sometimes you catch yourself actually believing that you live in the world of whichever book you’re reading.

4. You only hang out with people based on your mutual love of Harry Potter fan fiction.

5. You write Harry Potter fan fiction.

5. You ask Katniss questions out loud, and then follow the advice you imagine her giving.

6. You’ve been known to make really obscure references to novels that nobody else understands… and you get irrationally angry when they don’t.

7. Instead of pictures of your family on your bedside table, you have a stack of novels so tall that you can’t see your roommate in the bed on the other side.

8. You have legitimate crushes on fictional characters.

9. The bookshelves in your house are so packed with books that you're running out of space for all of them…

10. ...and when you realize that you've kept every textbook you've ever bought just in case they come in handy sometime in the distant future, you begin to admit that you might have a problem. 

11. You tell people that Twilight was really dumb… but in reality you’ve read the entire trilogy four times (Team Jacob HOLLA at us).

12. It’s really annoying to you when people claim that they “love” a movie even though they’ve never read the book it came from. 

13. You refuse to engage in social activities because you only have 100 pages left and you HAVE to finish them IMMEDIATELY.

14. You wish your favorite characters were real because they would understand you so much better than the humans you interact with do.

15. It’s really hard for you to trust people who have never read The Great Gatsby.

16. You prefer to eat lunch by yourself if it means you get to read for 30 whole minutes in the middle of the day.

17. You have Googled “jobs where you can get paid to read books” or something similar.

Okay, we get it, it’s freezing outside!  The entire upper continental US is currently suffering record low temperatures (Temps in Minnesota were lower than those on Mars a couple weeks ago), but that doesn’t mean your sense of style has to be thrown out into the, well, cold.  Polar Vortex Chic is a thing this winter, or at least Her Campus is making it one.  Instead of throwing on a gigantic puffer coat and tattered UGGs, try these easy and stylish tricks to be the cutest snow bunny on campus.

1. Supersize your scarf

Trust the Europeans on this one: everything is chicer (and warmer) with a large scarf on.  Tie the ends together and loop a large, blanket-like scarf around your neck to you’re your look instantaneously more stylish and more comfortable, even when you’re trekking to class in subzero temperatures.  The bigger, the better!

2.  Glam up your snow boots

We loved UGGs too…in seventh grade.  Instead of slumping into class in unflattering, shapeless sheepskin, invest in a pair of functional and adorable snow boots, like these Sorels. 

You’ll find yourself starting to wish for snow, just so you have the opportunity to pull these bad boys (girls?) out of your shoe closet.

3. Layers = Love

One of the first rules of chic is LAYER, LAYER, LAYER.  Not only do they make sudden changes in temperature more bearable, but they’ll keep you warm and toasty. Cashmere sweaters, wool cardigans, or cozy thermal knits are fair game…or maybe all three! Keep colors similar, think neutrals like camel or heather, to look extra posh.

4. Accessorize!

The best part of dressing up to play in the snow is the fact that the accessory possibilities are endless.  Instead of choosing a bulky fleece hat or “choppers” for your hands, as we call them in the Midwest, opt for functional mittens or headbands that double as complements to your outfit! Most of the time you spend outside will be all bundled up anyway, so why not make the parts of your outfit you get to show off the most the highlight of your ensemble?

5. Add a splash of color

When it’s this cold and snowy, the predominant colors are usually shades of browns and greys (with the occasional white of fresh powder). Instead of blending into the masses making the pilgrimage to class, be the one who stands out with a dash of color. Whether it be a bright coat, patterned scarf, or colorful hat, adding color will no doubt add a little life to your outfit…and your day!

6. Look cozy, not chaotic

Even though it’s hard to get out of bed on cold, stormy days, it’s important to look more polished and peppy than sleepy and sloppy. Little details like brushing your hair or adding winged eyeliner instantly transform the leggings-and-booties uniform from “just rolled out of bed” to “oh, this old thing?” Of course, the most important part of your snow day outfit is that you feel good about what you’re wearing…and warm enough, too!

How are you looking chic this winter? Instagram/tweet us your best looks and make sure to tag @HerCampus!

Whether you’ve just started dating a new guy or you’re attempting to snag a campus cutie, you’ve probably done a couple of crazy things to keep him interested. Texting him cute messages and offering him little compliments here and there are nice gestures, but how can you demonstrate to your guy just how head-over-heels, gaga in love you are?

Here are just a few ways to make sure your guy knows how crazy you are for him (and, consequently, just how crazy you are).

1. Favorite every tweet he's posted since 2011.

2. Talk about which features of his you’d like your future kids to inherit.

3. Send his parents friend requests on Facebook.

4. Use FACEinHOLE.com to put pictures of the two of you on the bodies of various celebrity couples.

5. Attend all his intramural basketball games as the unofficial team cheerleader.

6. Change your name in his phone to “My One and Only.”

7. Send him a Snapchat every morning when you wake up so it’s like he’s waking up next to you.

8. Get a T-shirt screen-printed with his face on it.

9. Memorize his schedule so you’ll always be waiting for him outside of his classes.

10. Accompany him to the gym so you can cheer him on as he lifts weights.

11. Bring him homemade soup in bed when you see him post on Facebook that he caught a cold.

12. Send him text messages with winking emojis throughout the day.

13. Give him a framed photo of yourself to put on his bedside table.

14. Spray your signature scent all over his sheets.

15. Memorize the lyrics to his favorite songs and serenade him whenever you get a chance.

16. Endorse every skill he has listed on LinkedIn.

17. Instagram a picture of every “first” the two of you have together (e.g. first movie together, first ski trip together, first Chipotle burrito together, etc.).

18. Sit with his friends whenever you see them in the dining hall and keep turning the conversation back to how great he is.

19. Put on a magic show where you handcuff the two of you together and “accidentally” misplace the key.

20. Change his computer background to a picture of the two of you.

21. Download a tracking device onto his cell phone so that you can always find out where he is.

22. Give him a sweater with a heart sewn inside one of the arms so he can always wear your heart on his sleeve.

23. Ask him what he wants for Christmas… next year.

24. Show him apartments that the two of you could move into together after graduation.

25. “Like” every photo he appears in on Facebook with another girl and ask him who they are later.

26. Leave an extra toothbrush in his dorm room.

27. Buy him season tickets for all of his favorite sports teams.

28. Put him down as your emergency contact on medical forms.

29. Steal one of his hoodies and wear it for weeks straight without washing it because “it smells like him.”

30. Get his initials tattooed on your wrist.

31. Make up a nickname for the two of you by combining your first names and insist that everyone refers to you by it.

32. Take random candid photos of him when he isn’t paying attention.

33. Hunt him down whenever you know he’s in the library so that you can bring him a coffee.

34. Tweet quotes of every funny thing he says.

35. Verbally assault any girl who looks at him for too long.

36. Volunteer to do his laundry for him.

37. Break into his dorm room and cook him smiley-face pancakes for breakfast.

38. Tell the waiter to bring you one drink with two straws when you go out to dinner.

39. Make a copy of the key to his dorm room while he’s in class.

40. Cut off a lock of his hair when he’s sleeping so you can keep it with you.

41. Call him daily and describe every dream you have about him.

42. Post every link that reminds you of him to his Facebook wall.

43. Change your schedule so you have all your classes together.

44. Buy him a one-way plane ticket so he can come visit you for an extended stay this summer.

45. Sign the two of you up for premarital counseling.  

46. Tag along on guys’ nights and refer to yourself as “The Honorary Bro.”

47. Leave him voicemails of the free-verse poetry you wrote for him in class on his phone.

48. Find a way to hold his hand whenever he’s close enough for you to reach it.

49. Make him a mannequin with your exact measurements so that you can always lie beside him in bed, even when you’re not there.

50. Hang a banner in the quad proclaiming your undying affection for him so everyone can know.

Sure, he may be a little overwhelmed by all this affection, but you wouldn’t want him to doubt your love, would you? (Just don’t be too surprised when he starts to doubt your sanity instead.)

Somewhere between formatting 12-point, Times New Roman resumes and applying to your zillionth internship, you may have forgotten that your career search should be fun and exciting. And if “fun and exciting” means pursuing law, business or medicine to you, go for it! But if you’re on the lookout for something a little off the beaten path, Her Campus is here to remind you that your options are limitless. Don’t believe us? Check out these five careers that you may have never considered—until now.
 

1. If you’re addicted to Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook…

Stop treating it like an unhealthy addiction and put those hours of tumbling, tweeting and tagging to use. Social media management is a hot ticket in the job market, and who better to apply than you—a member of the most tech-savvy generation yet? “When I graduated in 2009, there were few jobs that focused specifically on social media,” says Chelsea Clements, a graduate of Miami University. “Now, there are jobs devoted to nothing but social media: strategy, implementation, analyzing, etc.” Just a few years out of college, Chelsea has already advanced in the field and now works as the New Business and Relationship Lead at Tarte Advertising, Inc. There, she uses her networking-related skills to fulfill responsibilities like finding and reaching out to clients, writing for the company blog, Facebook and Twitter, attending networking events, and helping brands realize their full potential in creating a social media, website and email marketing presence. Her involvement in social media even helped her get her job there! “I got my position at Tarte Advertising after following the owner and CEO [of Tarte] Audrey Keyes on Twitter for a few years,” says Chelsea. Who knows? You could be following your @futureboss right now, too.
 
2. If you’re the campus activist…

Consider a career in human rights. One way to do get involved is to join a non-governmental organization, or NGO. The aim of NGOs is to implement positive social change; there are multiple types of NGOs and their focus can be of widely varying magnitudes, from local to international. Most people are familiar with wide-scale service NGOs, like the Red Cross, OXFAM, and Save the Children, but don’t make the mistake of thinking NGO work is limited to volunteering! While that’s an option, organizations are always on the lookout for researchers, analysts, and other kinds of specialists, and often provide internships and fellowships. Check out sites like Human Rights Watch and Idealist.org if you’re interested in a career involving saving the world (no big deal).

3. If you’re a pet person…

Don’t give up on that childhood dream of playing with puppies all day! Dog-walking and –sitting is just as much in demand as it was when you were in middle school. “I always walked dogs for money in my neighborhood, but a friend of mine turned her hobby into a business by advertising and taking a ton of doggie clients,” says Alex Court, a collegiette from The College of William and Mary. “She makes enough money dog-walking that she quit her old job and bought space for a mini-pet motel.” But even if you’re not a doggie entrepreneur, your options in animal-related careers are limitless. Feeling a little unsure about medicine, law, or psychology? Sign up to be a veterinarian pathologist, an animal welfare lawyer, or an animal-assisted therapist. Still skeptical? According to AOL Jobs, the salaries of such professions can range from about $50,000 to $150,000. So your dreams of playing with puppies for a living aren’t too far-fetched after all (ha!).

4. If cooking is your jam…

Look into the culinary arts—the truly artsy side. People tend to think that careers in food are limited to managing restaurants or becoming a chef, but the field offers plenty of other cool jobs as well. Ever wonder how Olive Garden makes its pasta look so good, or how food magazine pictures make your mouth water? Chefs are involved, but the key players in jobs like those are food stylists and photographers. These may seem like obscure professions, but restaurant owners, book authors, commercial producers and magazine editors of various food media are constantly seeking professionals to advertise and present their products. Hey, you’ve already had lots of practice making smiley faces in ketchup—why not take it to the next level and get paid for it, too?
 
5. If tutoring is your thing…

Let’s say you’ve considered teaching before, but don’t see yourself in front of the classroom every day. Check out the field of curriculum development! Developers are in charge of optimizing approaches to education and finding the best strategies for effective teaching. “My favorite part about building lesson plans and unit plans is targeting all types of learners: people who learn visually, auditory, tactile, and so on,” says Mary Beth Hills, a collegiette from Aquinas College who is planning to study curriculum development in grad school. “Until last year… I had never even realized that was a career path before.” And despite our tough economic situation, the field of curriculum development is booming. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that job openings for all instructional coordinators will increase by a whopping 23 percent by 2018 because of changes in the national standards for education, which means employers are just waiting for you to apply!

Senior year of high school often comes with a pair of rose-colored glasses. Once you have college looming in your future, every moment becomes precious. You realize how much your teachers care and how wonderful your friends are. You savor the taste of cafeteria food, caress your worn-out hall pass and cling to your test-taking No. 2 pencil.

Wait a minute! Yes, saying goodbye to your friends is sad, but remember that leaving high school has its perks. Here are some issues you’ll never have to deal with again once you get your diploma.

1. Having to wake up early to go to homeroom.

2. Realizing you forgot something important but not being able to leave school to get it yourself.

3. Failing a pop quiz on the first day because you didn’t do the summer reading.

4. Getting caught hanging out in the hall without a pass…

…and having to smooth-talk your way out of detention.

5. Teachers who try to act like teenagers…

…in an attempt to “relate” to you.

6. A gym class requirement.

7. Not being old enough to drive and needing your mom to drop you off everywhere.

8. Sitting through sex ed…

…for an entire year.

9. Needing a doctor’s note to get out of class.

10. Finding the perfect prom dress…

…before realizing the price is way out of your budget.

11. That obnoxious bell that signals the end of class.

12. Having your cell phone taken away until the end of the day.

13. Being assigned to a study hall with people you don’t know.

14. Having to go through the bureaucratic nurse’s office just to get one Tylenol.

15. High school boys who think they’re all that.

16. Finding out your parents volunteered to chaperone the school dance.

17. Fending off the underclassmen who try to take your table in the cafeteria.

18. Awkward prom photos.

19. Standardized testing. 

20. Your mom asking you if you had fun at school…

…every single day.

21. Being told you’re immature when you complain about these things.

The good news is that once you get through four years of these minor catastrophes, you get to find out firsthand why college is much better than high school. Of course, you’ll run into problems in college, too. But if you survived high school, you can survive anything!

Japanese Company Bellemaison has recently released a collection of Disney princess-inspired lingerie.  The bra and panty sets are based on four of the most popular Disney princesses: Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, and Rapunzel.  Like you would expect, Belle’s set is yellow, Cinderella’s blue, Aurora’s pink (that honestly looks more like mauve to us) and Rapunzel’s purple.  Each set is made to make the wearer feel a little more royal…and also, maybe, a little more uncomfortable.

We don’t know what exactly it is about these Disney-inspired underwear sets, but they make us at Her Campus feel a wee bit uneasy…maybe it’s the apparent synthetic material or the inherent creepiness of sexualizing cartoon characters, who are meant to be role models for young girls, no less.  Though these bras and panties aren’t directly marketed at children, the inherent message attached to them promotes the sexuality of the princesses in a way we’re not sure Disney intended. Each set is colorful, and not forcibly “ugly” when removed from the context of their basis in cartoon, but the lingerie definitely isn’t something we’re going to be rushing out to buy any time soon.

The lingerie sets are apart of Bellemaison’s 20^th anniversary of their Disney “Fantasy Shop”, and are actually licensed by Disney!  If you’re not totally creeped out by these undies, you can purchase them online for the US equivalent of $38.

Are you dying to devote your underpinnings to a Disney princess, or do you think this whole promotion is a little weird? Be sure to comment below to let us know! 

Nail polish is a powerful style weapon because it can make or break an outfit. Glitter nail polish to a job interview? A definite no. Glitter nail polish to a sorority formal? A definite yes. While some nail polishes are more appropriate in some situations than others, there are eight essential nail colors every collegiette should have in her beauty arsenal. HC is here to let you know what those shades are and when to use them.

1. A Bold Red

Red is a classic nail polish color because it’s one of the more versatile ones. Felicia Fatur, a professional nail artist at Sean’s Signature Salon & Spa, says “you can never go wrong with red!” It can be edgy, it can be glamorous, it can be professional—basically, it can be whatever you need it to be. Luckily, “reds look good on any skin tone,” Fatur says.

A strong red is also in style no matter the season, unlike pastels, whose popularity tends to ebb and flow depending on the season. For a fabulous red that is perfect for any occasion, try OPI’s Big Apple Red ($8.99).

2. White

White nails are great for a modern, polished look. This shade works well in the winter months with a snowy backdrop as well as in the summer for a bright and clean look (white also looks awesome against a tan!).

White is also an essential shade for those who love their French manicures or DIY nail art. “French will never go out of style,” Fatur says.

For DIY nail art, Fatur says a reverse French manicure is currently trending. After painting your nails a nude base color, paint a white moon along the base of the nail. Instant chic!

A classic white to buy is Essie’s Blanc ($8.50). You might be worried that some whites go on streaky or see-through, but Blanc is perfect for both full-coverage nails and nail art designs.

3. Nude

There comes a time when a collegiette must look professional, and a neutral or nude polish is the perfect shade to pull off that look. “Nude nails are very popular right now,” Fatur says.

This color is essential for occasions like an interview because it makes you look put-together without being too casual, as is often the case with a naked nail or too flashy a nail, which can happen with a bright-colored mani.

Another perk of a neutral color is that mistakes are less noticeable with it. Chipped nails are a definite no-no in any situation, but especially in an interview. If you chip your nail getting a coffee or rifling through your wallet on the way, it’ll be less obvious with a neutral nail polish than with a colored one.

An elegant sheer nude shade is OPI’s Bubble Bath ($9). For an opaque nude, Fatur recommends Essie’s Limo-Scene ($8.50).

4. Glitter

Even though there are times when you should stay professional with your manicure, every collegiette needs a fun glitter polish in her reserve. Glitter nail polish is a definite go-to for parties or fun evening events. Clear glitter is a great add-on to any shade you already own and is cheaper than buying colored glitter polishes in multiple hues. “A new trend is sheer nude with a touch of glitter,” Fatur says. “You can go from the office to the club in seconds!”

A must-have clear glitter polish is Essie’s Sparkle on Top ($8.50). It goes on as a topcoat over your favorite base shade.

A fabulous colored glitter polish is Deborah Lippmann’s Candy Shop ($19). It’s super fun, and because of all the colors, it can’t be mimicked by a clear glitter over a solid shade.

5. Navy

A navy polish is vital for collegiettes, especially during the fall and winter because it’s the perfect cold-weather color. This color is more professional than a hard black, so it can also work well at your internship or job. Fatur says “dark polish is best on short nails,” which is another reason navy is great for the workplace. If you do a lot of typing at your job, short nails are more appropriate!

Be careful, though, because chips will be more obvious and touch-ups might be needed more often with dark nails than with a lighter color. “Never ever walk around with dark, chipped nails!” Fatur says.

A gorgeous shade is OPI’s Incognito in Sausalito ($9). It’s a dark, inky navy that will look great with your outfit for class or your internship.

6. Pink

Pink is the ultimate feminine color. It’s a fun and flirty color for a warm spring break destination, summer vacation or any time you want to make an outfit look a little girlier. Pink polishes range from soft and pretty to vibrant and bold, but no matter your preference, pink is an essential addition to your polish collection.

For a bright pop of pink that isn’t overwhelming, try out Julep’s Avery ($14).

7. A Metallic

Metallics are the perfect nail polishes to dress up an outfit. A bit more mature than glitter, metallic shades like gold, silver and bronze are a great complement to a little black dress with corresponding jewelry. Bold finger-bling can really pull together an evening outfit!

Butter London’s Olympic Heavy Metal trio features three strong metallic shades. The glamorous gold is The Full Monty Nail Lacquer ($7.50), the sparkling silver polish is Diamond Geezer Nail Lacquer ($7.50) and the coppery bronze is The Old Bill Nail Lacquer ($7.50).

8. A Splurge Color

The most essential nail color a collegiette can have is one that makes you happy. While the above-mentioned colors are practical, every girl deserves at least one shade that she finds fun and gorgeous. Maybe it’s a super feminine hot pink or a neon green or a beachy turquoise—no matter what that splurge color is for you, don’t feel guilty about buying it! You (and your nails) deserve a fun, impulsive color.

For a splurge color this season, Fatur recommends a radiant orchid polish, which is Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2014. L’Oreal’s Royalty Reinvented ($4.99) is a great shade for showing off this current trend and being fun and flirty.

What are some of your must-have nail polish colors? Let us know in the comments!

Sick of eating cereal and ramen for lunch and dinner? Want to spend less money eating out and finally start cooking for yourself? Put down that frozen pizza, because HC’s Health Editor, Sammie Levin, is here to share her daily eats so you can get ideas for healthy, satisfying meals that are easy enough for any time-strapped collegiette to make. After you read Collegiette Eats, your taste buds, wallet and waistline will thank you.

Breakfast 

I woke up less hungry than usual yesterday (which is weird because I usually wake up a ravenous beast), so I had a lighter breakfast than my typical hearty oatmeal. I put some cottage cheese in a bowl and topped it with grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries and blueberries. Isn't fruit the prettiest? Cottage cheese, on the other hand, is not - I know this from the looks of disgust on people's faces when I eat it in any sort of public setting - so I'm glad the more photogenic, glamorous fruit covered it up. 

Lunch

I had a smorgasbord of different foods hiding in my kitchen for lunch (Side note: I just learned I've been saying "smorgasbord" incorrectly my entire life as I just tried to spell it "schmorgasborg" - which kind of looks like a Yiddish rendition of the real word?). I roasted a sweet potato and a bunch of Brussels sprouts and threw them together in a bowl with steamed spinach and lentils. Cutting the sweet potato into chunks prior to roasting was a strenuous task. I counted it as my arm workout for the day. It was also the closest I've ever come to losing a finger. It's okay, because I would be proud to lose a finger in the name of sweet potatoes. That is how much I love them. 

To roast the sweet potato chunks, I coated them in about a half tablespoon of olive oil and seasoned them with salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper and cumin (I didn't measure the seasonings; I just added a little sprinkle of each). For the Brussels sprouts, I coated them with just olive oil, salt and pepper. I put them both on a baking sheet in the oven at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes, checking and tossing them periodically. The seasoning on the potatoes was so good - spicy without masking the sweetness of the potato too much. Compliments to the chef. 

Dinner 

For dinner, I cooked for myself and two of my housemates. Gotta spread the wealth once in a while. I made Moroccan stuffed acorn squash, courtesy of a recipe from The Sprouted Kitchen, a cookbook my mom got me. The final product looked nothing like the gorgeous photo in the book (we decided my version looked like potpourri), but we thought it was delicious. So it was kind of like a #pinterestfail, but a tasty fail. 

Took make this meal, you cook quinoa in coconut milk and spice it with paprika, cumin and ground coriander. Then, you toss the quinoa with chopped mint and cilantro and fresh orange juice, add in pomegranate seeds and pistachios and stuff it all in a roasted acorn squash. AMAZING. I have a theory that everything tastes better when you eat it out of an edible "bowl"- soups in bread bowls, mexican salads in tortilla bowls, rice stuffed in peppers, etc. By roasting the squash until it's really tender, you get a spoonful of warm squash with every scoop, which tastes really good combined with the quinoa and other mix-ins. Are you sold? You can find the recipe re-printed here. The only changes I made were not adding cheese and adding a few sliced orange segments since I didn't want them to go to waste after juicing the orange on the quinoa. 

Time for class, but if you've ever had an especially good edible bowl, please let me know, because now I'm determined to continue confirming my theory.